tffc 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON,  D. C.
GPO  16—67244-1
98 
 
 
o~
AN EULOGIUM,



   &c. &c.
(fsr%
 
At  a special meeting of the " Philadelphia
  Medical Society," held on  the 2Uh of
              February,  1802.

     " RESOLVED, That the thanks of the
Society  be presented to Dr.  Caldwell, for
his  eloquent,  ingenious,  and just eulogium7
delivered this  day, on the Character of Mr.
George Lee, and that a Copy of it be request*
ed for immediate publication"
           Extract from the Minutes,
                WILLIJM HORSEY, Secretary. 
   AN  EULOGIUM







       TO THE MEMORY





              OF






   ]MR.  GEORGE LEE,






     DELIVERED BY APPOINTMENT,






             TO TH?






PHILADELPHIA  MEDICAL, SQCIETY,





   ON THE 24th DAY O? FEB, 1802.
BY CHARLES CALDWELL, M. D.






i     .              *
PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED BY THOMAS AND WILLIAM BRADFORD, BOOK-



    SELLERS AND STATIONERS, NO,  8, SOUTH



             FRONT STREET,





                 1802. 
 
       AN EULOGIUM,



Gentlemen of the Medical Society,

     XjLOW striking  is the difference—how
impressive  the contrast, between the  present
and the last occasion of our assembling in this
hall!  What can exhibit, in boldsr characters,
the lamentable mutability of sublunary con-
cerns ! It was then our lot to meet on purposes
of mutual congratulation; we are now convened
on an object of sorrow.   We were then sum-
moned to join in celebrating the  anniversary of
our institution; we  are now called together to
mingle our griefs  around the grave of one of
its members.   It was then our business to
indulge in  excursions of intellect through  the
t *.■■■ t 
                     0
everblooming fields of nature ;  we  must now
direct our footsteps to the waste and dreary
mansions of the dead.  We were then delight*
fully exercised in endeavouring to gain admis-
sion into some of the secret retreats of science ;
we are now assembled  to deplore  the  loss,
commemorate the talents,  and do homage to
the virtues of one of her distinguished sons.
    Lee, the pride and hope of his relatives,
the favourite of his associates, the ornament
of our  society!—Lee  has prematurely  gone
down to the tomb!  For this the badges of
mourning have appeared in our seats of learn*
ing, and sadness has become familiar with the
votaries of science: for this  have our public
prints been made the vehicles of lamentation:
and for this are we now assembled to convert for
a while into a tabernacle of sorrow this mansion
sacred only to the purposes of instruction. 
     On such an occasion, were my powers of
utterance equal to the touching pathos of my
subject,  the tears of this auditory should ilow
in libation to  the  memory  of our  departed
brother, and these walls should re-echo to the
accents of woe.  But,
  " X, indeed, have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,,
  " Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,"
    Tq wa&e. the slumbering tumnlts of the soul.:
I, indeed, can " only speak right  on,"  can
enly paint,  in feeble colours,  the  character
and fate of our deceased fellow-member,  and
feid them  call forth,  from  those who  hear
me, feelings corresponding to the melancholy
event.   But  if I interpret the human  counte-
nance aright,  my theme will have no need of
the lightning  of.  eloquence,  to  cleave its way
to the hearts of this  assembly.   To the story
of sorrow* though simple and  artless,  the
ingenuous  bosom is for ever open. 
                     *4
     Mr.  Lee was  a native of the city of
Philadelphia.  He was born on the twenty-first
day of September, one thousand seven hundred
and seventy eight.   During the first  years of
his life nothing is remembered respecting  him
worthy of calling our attention to that period of
his history.  He was early placed at a grammar
school, in Woodbury, in the State of New-Jersey,
Where he acquired the rudiments  of scholastic
learning.  He afterwards passed some time
under the private tuition of the Rev.  Dr. John
Smith, late  of this city, a  profound scholar
and a pious divine.  From the family of  this
gentleman he was removed,  while in his fif-
teenth year, to prosecute and finish his  classi-
cal studies in the University  of Pennsylvania.
During his pupillage  in  this  institution, his
character  was in  no way conspicuous over
that of his associates.  He was regarded  only 
                     9
as an orderly  student,  a  respectable scholar,
and  a youth  of amiable  and prepossessing
manners.   As yet he had given neither earnest
nor promise of future  eminence.   As yet his
talents were either but partially  unfolded,  or
had not been  directed to their favourite  pur-
suits.   Possessed  of  a  native  and  specific
affinity for physical science, his mind does not
appear to have been formed for a ready unions
with the objects  of mere  scholastic literature.
Weary of confinement and indignant  of re-
straint  within  college - walls and academic
groves, it panted for freedom  of action  in the
Walks of nature.   Impatient of the slow lapse
of a burdensome literary  minority, it looked
with joyous  anticipation to the time,  when it
might turn from the study of sounds and forms,
to enquiries into the nature of sub stances and
things,
                      33r 
                    to
     These  are circumstances by  no means
uncommon in the history of great and illustrious
characters.  The most apt and  distinguished
school-boy is not always  best calculated to
become an  ornament  to  science;  nor  does
mediocrity,  nor even  dulness at  school, ne-
cessarily preclude from future eminence. True
genius is for the most part as stubborn as  it is
impetuous.  If it be not suffered to move in its
favourite direction, it becomes intractable,  and
will not be compelled ta move at all.  Thus k
is, that mere  cyphers  in  the cabinet are not
unfrequently heros in the field; and that some
of our greatest statesmen, poets, and philoso-
phers, have been incapable of becoming tolera-
ble counsellors at law, or even of superintending
the business of a farm.

     Having passed  with reputation  through
his collegial studies, anc| made himself master of 
                     11
the several preparatory branches of knowledge,
young Lee was admitted to  the  degree of
Batchelor of Arts, on the 20th day of July, one
thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, being
then in the seventeenth year of his age.  We
here behold him arrived at the most critical and
interesting sera which marks the progress  of a
literary character.   He was now to make choice
of  a  profession for life—a profession which
might both  serve as a source of future subsist-
ence   and emolument, and prove  a basis  of
utility and  fame.   An injudicious  step  in  a
matter so momentous, was  pregnant with evil
if not  with ruin.   For what can be a greater
barrier to the acquisition of fortune and emi-
nence, than to be permanently embarqued in a
pursuit, without qualifications to ensure success?
But subsequent events have sufficiently mani-
fested, with what  wisdom our deceased friend 
                      12
 deliberated, and with what judgment he decided
 on this important occasion.  You are all apprised
 that the  profession of medicine  became  the
 object of his election.

     On this new course of study, for which
 nature had so  peculiarly  fitted him,  and in
 which he was destined to make such brilliant
 acquisitions, he entered under the direction of
 of a respectable physician of this  city, some-
 time in the autumn of the same year, in which
 he had been invested with the junior honours
 of the University.   He continued to read with
 this gentleman, and to attend  to his practice
 for the space of about two years.   During that
 period, though he both merited and received
 the approbation and friendship of  his  patron,
he made,  comparatively speaking,  but a very
 faint display of that activity and  energy  of
 intellect which he certainly possessed. He had 
                    13
not yet been subjected  to  the influence of that
peculiar combination of circumstances, calcu-
lated to call forth his  latent powers.  For the
human mind is sometimes endowed with speci-
fic susceptibilities, in consequence of which it
is capable of being effectually acted on only by
impressions of a definite nature.   Exclude
such  a mind  from these impressions,  and its
energies  and  resources,   however great,  are
lost  to society,  like the diamond embedded in
the bosom  of  the rock.  Had it not been for
the impulse of the American revolution, the
immortal Washington would have  lived and
died the farmer of Mount Vernon: and, but
for the revolutionary struggles of France, the
name of Buonaparte, which  v/as lately the
terror and will long continue the boast of Europe,
would have been scarcely commensurate  with
the  limits of Corsica.  So true is it, that the 
                    14
part which we act,  and the sphere which we
                   «
fill in life, are the mere creatures of contingent
events.
     In the autumn of the year one thousand
seven hundred and ninety seven, a vacancy
occurred  in  the medical  department  of  the
Pennsylvania  Hospital.    Mr. Lee,  availing
himself of a circumstance so fortunate, entered
immediately as a house-pupil of that institution,
This step may be considered as the key which
completely unlocked his mind, and disclosed
the extent and  power of its faculties.   From
this period we may date the commencement of
his career in  science :—a career, which,  had
not an untimely fate  interposed, would  have
contributed to enhance  the reputation of his
country.
     We  now  behold our young philosopher
(for such we may safely presume to  call him) 
15
placed in  the  very  focus of circumstances
peculiarly calculated both to kindle and gratify
his ambition.   The  place where  he resided
may be considered as the medical sensorium
of our country.   Ail improvements and disco-
veries, whether in the theory or  practice of
medicine,  and in whatever part of the United
States they are made, flow to it as  naturally
as sensation makes  its way to the throne of
perception, or as our rivers descend with their
tributary waters  to the ocean.  His  situation,
therefore, not only presented him  with many
important subjects for observation and enquiry,
but furnished him at the same time  with the
most effectual aids to direct and facilitate the
course of his researches.

      The walls which enclosed  and  the  roof
which covered  him were  sacred to  the pur-
poses of science and  humanity.  Within them 
                      16




 was contained an epitomized collection of every



 form  of disease, which climate, season, acci-



 dent,  passion, dissipation, and vice,  are capa-



 ble of inflicting on the human race.  An exten-



 sive and well selected library occupied  one



 apartment of the building.  In others Were to



 be found a diversity of excellent preparations,



 figures,  and drawings, calculated to develope



 the structure, and shed light on the  economy



 of the  human  system.   The  house  was



 regularly attended by  the first physicians of



 our city, and daily  visited  by  strangers  of



 literature and distinction from different parts



 of the  world.  To a  mind enthusiastic in the



 pursuit of knowledge these  were  invaluable



 sources of instruction and pleasure.  Nor did



 our deceased friend suffer one of them to escape,



without  eagerly  embracing the  advantages it



held fortfo.  He  read,  conversed,  observed* 
                     17
and  experimented,  on  an  extensive  scaie.
When in pursuit of truth, whether  on gene*-
ral  or particular  subjects,  he possessed the
happy art of rendering every avenue  of infor*
mation subservient to his purposes.   On these
occasions he turned his attention with rapidity
and ease  from books to things,  and from the
contemplation of nature to observations on the
works and processes of art.  With such intel-
ligence and address did he interrogate every
thing  around him, that each  object  became
an instructive  companion.   It is needless  to
remark,  that a mind supplied with knowledge
through such a multiplicity of channels could
not be otherwise than abundantly stored.
     Mr. Lee had been but a  short time  in
his new  situatipn,  when this change in  his
character became  conspicuous and striking.
The   sudden  and,  I may add, unlopked-&*
                      C 
                    13
expansion of his  intellect, with his diversified
acquirements which were hourly accumulating,
were noticed and spoken of by all his acquaint-
ance.   Nor were intelligent  strangers, who
visited the  hospital,  less pleased with his
enlightened  conversation,  and  gentlemanly
deportment,  in conducting them through the
apartments of the building.
     It will be recollected by some  of yo\>,
that it was about this period he was  admitted
and enrolled  a  member of  our society.  It
would be superfluous to dwell on his numerous
and important services  among us in this new
relation.   The humble though sincere tribute
We are at this  moment  endeavouring to render
acceptable to his memory, is the best evidence
of your sentiments and feelings on this subject.
Had you not been conscious of his distinguished
merit, you would n*ot have voted him a distin-
guished honour. 
                     IS
     Though extensively informed in medicine
and all its collateral branches of science, Mr.
Lee was more particularly devoted to the study
of chemistry.  In this his acquirements  were
ample and accurate.  Not content with merely
admiring,  he was emulous of, the discoveries
and fame  of the celebrated chemists of Europe
and America.  Not satisfied with  a bare know-
ledge of the experiments they had performed,
he was  in the  habit, not  only  of imprinting
them on his mind, but of testing their truth,
by repeating them  himself.  By these  steps
he rendered them effectually his own,
     In the chemical society  of this city, of
which he  was a member,  his labours and ser-
vices were peculiarly  important.    Skilful in
experimenting,  perspicuous in illustrating, and
able in his manner of conducting  a debate, he
seldom  engaged  in investigating a  subject,
without contributing materially to its elucidation* 
                    20
His  g&Sidgitel essays, which he  read to the
society in the summer of the year 1800) and
which afterwards made their appearance in our
public  prints,  were  respectable  specimens
both of the extent of his researches, and of his
abilities in  Composition.   But,  these are not
the only pieces  with  which he enriched the
periodical publications of the day.  The Me-
dical Repository of New-York, is  indebted to
him  for  several  Valuable  contributions, and
the Gazettes of this city have been repeatedly
the vehicle of ingenious and interesting  pro-
ductions  from his pen.  In two or three seiett*
tific and  literary controversies, in Which it was
his lot to be engaged through this medium, he
acquitted himself With distinguished  ability
and  honour.   Though some of his opponents
far surpassed him  in  experience, and all of
^em out-rrumbered him in years, yet on each
occasion he  carried  With  hilti  the  decided 
                    21
opinions  of those most competent to judge of
the points at issue.   It must be mentioned to
his praise,  that in these  instances,  he  never
descended to anonymous publications.   Aloof
in his sentiments from every  thing  that  bore
the resemblance of unmanly concealment, he
contended that  a controversial  writer  should
be always prepared to answer in person for his
manner of treating the arguments and character
of his antagonist. His ingenuous nature taught
him to feel, that a masked attack,  especially
when in any degree personal, betrays either  a
malignant  and  cowardly  disposition,  a  self-
acknowledged inferiority of talents,  or a secret
consciousness of a bad cause.  Conformably
to these sentiments,  he always  sanctioned his
pieces With his proper signature.
     In the summer of the year  1799,  Mr.
Lee engaged in a series  of chemical expert
xltents on the teeth of man and other animals.. 
                     22
His ultimate object in this new and interesting
pursuit  was, to  ascertain. the cause  of the
premature decay of the  human teeth  in the
United States.   Unfortunately for science and
humanity, the attack of disease, which finally
terminated his existence, arrested his progress
and frustrated his hopes in this enquiry.   The
loss sustained by the public, in  this  instance,
can be appreciated only from the importance
of  the  investigation,  and the  qualifications
which our deceased friend possessed for con-
ducting it to a satisfactory  issue.   There are
but few physical questions which involve more
interesting and  weighty  considerations  than
that which relates to the  premature  decay of
the teeth in America.   Beauty, health,  com-
fort, and  longevity,  would seem to  be  alike
concerned in the proper solution of  it.   The
American who shall first  develope  the  cause
of this evil, and at the same  time direct to an 
                    23
adequate remedy, will be  rewarded by the
gratitude and applause of his country.   Had
not fate dropt  the  curtain between him and
his prospects, there is reason to believe that
the youth, whose character we commemorate,
would have been the  successful candidate for
this distinguished meed.
     Though  Mr.  Lee was not  himself  a
graduate  in  medicine, yet,  for three  years
previously to his death, he had been regularly
called on to assist young gentlemen of his ac-
quaintance, during  the time of  their prepara-
tion for that honour.  Nor did the benevolence
of his disposition ever suffer his  aid  to be
solicited in vain.   Such were the frankness
and  liberality of his  nature,  that  his own
personal  concerns were  always made second-
ary to  those of his friends.   It is due to his
memory to mention, that some of the  most
valuable  Theses,  which  have  appeared in 
                    24
the University of Pennsylvania since the  year
1798, have been  deeply indebted to him for
their  merit.   A more  honourable testimony
cannot be produced of the opinion which his
fellow-students entertained both of the powers
of his mind and the qualities of his heart.
     But  his  industry and  attainments  in
science are not the only circumstances calcu-
lated to add lustre to the character of our friend.
Equally  conspicuous,  but  more endearing,
were his animated exertions  in  the cause of
humanity.    His sensibility  and  unbounded
benevolence fitted  him no less to sympathize
with the siek and infirm,  than his knowledge
did to relieve their distresses.  The managers
and physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital
have repeatedly acknowledged, in terms of the
highest approbation, the extent of his services ;
and long will the unfortunate objects of that
institution  cherish a grateful  remembrance of 
                     25
his  tenderness  and  attention.   During  my
attendance on him,  in his last illness,  one of
the most  affecting circumstances I was called
on to encounter was, the grief and dejection
pictured in the countenances of some of these
afflicted people, when I,  at  times,  replied to
their enquiries, that I was doubtful  of his
recovery.   Even the maniacs themselves were
far from being indifferent to his merit and fate.
In passing through the wards of the building,
oftentimes has my attention been arrested by
some  of  those unhappy mortals,  in  whom,
though  reason  Was  dethroned,  there  still
remained a  sufficiency of memory  and grati-
tude, to induce them to  enquire with concern
after the  health of their favourite.   It belongs
to this place to remark, that, previously to his
last illness, the constitution  of our friend  was
 materially impaired by the labours  he under-
                      D 
                     26
 went in the discharge of the duties attached to
 his situation.  This obliged him several times
 to relax for a while from the severity of  his
 studies  and pursuits,  and  make excursions
 into the country for the recovery of his health.
     The  respectable  friendships which  he
 contracted, and the correspondencies which he
 formed and supported by letter,  during his
 residence  in the Pennsylvania  Hospital,  are
 no less honourable to his  memory, than they
 were  subservient to his  happiness  and  im-
 provement while living.  Nothing but acknow-
ledged excellence, both moral and physical,  can
gain and secure a true and lasting intimacy with
the enlightened and the virtuous.
    Were  I  to  attempt a  summary  of  the
general outlines  of Mr. Lee's character, I
would say,  that to  talents of a superior order
he joined that, degree of cultivation necessarily
resulting  from  extensive  opportunities  and 
                     £7
consummate application.   He was not remark*,
able for that extreme  brilliancy of mind, that
rapid loom of theory and hypothesis, where,
with more than  lightning's speed,  vision sue*
ceeds to vision,  and the imagination, grasping
at prerogative, encroaches on the provinces of
the  other faculties.   If there  was a  want of
equilibrium between  the powers of his mind,
the balance was turned in favour of his un-
derstanding.    His  opinions   and  theories,
therefore, were  never the unsubstantial crea-
tures of conjecture: they were either originally
derived from experiment  and  observation,  or,
previously to their being made known,  forced
to do homage to  these tests of truth.   Though
he discovered a  taste for  poetry and other
branches  of polite literature,  his reading was
confined principally to works which enrich,
rather than to those which only embellish the
mind.   Eor he justly  esteemed ornamenta 
                    $8
accomplishments as nothing more than second-.
ary objects.
     Considered in a moral point of yiew, his
character and  conduct would have shielded
him from reproach under  the  censorship of a
Cato.  As they knew no blemish, they would
have shrunk from no ordeal of justice however
rigid.  But, the possession of negative worth
constituted but  a subordinate part of his excel-
lence.   His heart was a hotbed of those moral
qualities, which are  the  brightest ornaments
of human nature.   To  such an extent  was
this true, that  his friends were at a loss to
determine which of the two was predominant,
his love of science, or his love of virtue.
     Asa friend, Mr. Lee was steady in his
attachments, sincere  in  his professions, and
candid in  his  opinions,  remonstrances, and
advice.   He had too much of the unbending
Roman  in  his  nature,  either  to flatter or in 
                    29
any  way attempt to please at the expence of
his veracity.   Yet, in society he was  often-
times gay and  facetious,  and always affable,
courteous,  and  gentlemanly.   As  he  never
forfeited his own esteem by a fashionable com-
promise with what he knew to be wrong;  he
was  equally careful neither to appear singular,
nor  give  offence to others, by a censorious
disposition or  an  unaccommodating  manner.
If his sentiments forbad him to conform to the
opinions or join in the  practices  of his com-
pany, he was sufficiently independent and well-
bred to  retire with ease, and search for more
suitable companions  among his  patients,  his
books, or his own reflections.
     His filial and fraternal character we must
revere in silence. However amiable his deport-
ment in these  relations,  a regard  (I hope a
delicate and proper  one) for the feelings of
some of those  who  honor me with their pre- 
                     so
sence,  forbid  me to  touch on a  subject so
affecting.   It would be rudeness bordering on
impiety, thus publicly to intrude on the  sanc-
tuary of recent sorrow.   The  feeling bosom
can well appreciate the truth, that  there is a
degree  of woe,  which must be suffered to
retire and weep.   It  is only the  silence and
secrecy  of sorrow that are truly  divine.  What
consolation could we  offer to the  immediate
relatives of our departed friend, when we have
not yet attained consolation for ourselves! Their
only resource lies in  the  mellowing influence
of time, and in a calm resignation to the  plea-
sure of that Being, who gave and who recalled
their beloved kinsman.
     But,  were I  to end here, my enumeration
of the excellencies of  our  late fellow-member
would be  defective  to a fault.   His extreme
modesty is entitled to a distinguished place in
our remembrance  and esteem,   This amiable 
                     31
quality, though  it always shunned the public
eye,  and blushingly sought  the  back-ground
in the picture, involuntarily  blended itself in
his intercourse with the world,  and  threw an
engaging lustre  over all  his actions.   It is
thus, that the orb of day continues to dispense
a friendly light to the benighted Zemblian, even
when he is himself invisible beneath the horizon.
     The attack  of illness, to which  Mr. Lee
fell a victim,  was  lingering,  insidious,  and
distressing, beyond description.  Those alone
who  are familiar  with disease could justly
appreciate  its  pains and its horrors.   It com-
menced about the beginning of June 1801, and
did not terminate in death  till the sixth day of
February  1802.    During  this slow  rolling
period of eight months, the patience,  fortitude,
and  resignation  of  our afflicted brother were
equalled only by the extent of his sufferings.
He not only forebore to distress his attendants 
52
by complaints and groans, but even preserved
his usual  temper and tranquility of  mind.
Till the close of his life he remained a stranger
to that peevishness which so frequently results
from  long  confinement.
     Nor was ever his love of knowledge more
conspicuously manifested,  than  during  the
course of  this agonizing conflict.   Though it
must  be confessed that the powers of his mind
were  somewhat  debilitated,  his  spirit of en-
quiry remained unshaken amidst the reiterated
shocks of  his disease.  Every lucid interval
which he enjoyed  was faithfully devoted to the
perusal of late publications.  This step resulted
from  a wish, which never  forsook him, that
his acquisitions   might keep pace with the
improvements and  discoveries  in  science.
With the pride and gallantry of a true soldier,
he  held it dishonourable,  though mortally
wounded,  to be left in the rear of his literary 
associates.  His last moments  were rendered
not only  tolerable but even delightful to him,
by the pleasure he derived from an examination
of a  late distinguished work  of genius by a
young American*.   When the fatal period at
length arrived, death might be  almost said to
have  extinguished  his life and  his  midnight
taper with the same blast.
     Such was  the character  and such the
fate of the youth, whose excellencies  we have
endeavoured to commemorate.   Cut off in the
blossom of his years, the  promise of his for-
tune, and the flood-tide of his advancement to
distinction and fame, his death was melancholy
as his  life had  been  honourable.   Seldom,
very  seldom are the public invited to bedew
with their tears  so  much  merit  consigned to
such  an untimely  grave.  When, therefore,
the mournful occasion comes, it is manly, it is
     ♦Woodward « On the Substance of the Sun." 
                     34
virtuous to do homage to the summons.  Such
an act,  is not  only a  tribute of justice to the
dead; it awakens  emulation in the living,  and
is balm to the sorrows of surviving relatives.
     Shade of our brother ascend to thy desti-
ny ! and may mortal inquietudes never intrude
on the sanctuary  of thy peace! Escaped from
the  scene of  sublunary  visions,  enjoy  the
realities of superior natures!  But snatch not
from  among us the whole of thy attributes i
With the legacy of thy example, condescend
to let fall on us thy mantle of inspiration!

                FINIS.
Thomas and William Bradford, Printers. 
 
 
Ned,. Hist.






C lf-7cuA
H